The Spirit of the Dog: An Illustrated History

This 288-page, coffee-table showcase is categorized differently than its predecessors, which have tended to be alphabetical or by dog-show group. Instead, “The Spirit” is beatifically presented by breeds’ most noted traits — Elegance and Speed, Beauty and Endurance, Power and Strength, Noble and Faithful, Determined and Brave, Agile and Wise, Tenacious and Spirited, Devoted and Loyal.

But each vignette is more than just a pretty picture with accompanying text. It begins with a listing of size, appearance, color and aptitude rundown, followed by a detailed history noting how it evolved into a companion animal, complemented with Harrisson’s sensitive, striking color photos.

This ambitious, nourishing work is the perfect holiday gift and a colorful celebration of dogs’ incredible diversity as man’s companion for 14,000 years (and very likely more).

For some, it will prompt heartwarming memories of a breed they once owned. For others, it’s a warm, reflective portrait of the breed in their home now.

Ranny Green, a Seattle Times pets columnist and feature writer for three decades before retiring in 2008, will be writing monthly features and book reviews on this newly revised web site. Green is also the former president of the Dog Writers Association of America, a five-time recipient of the DWAA's columnist of the year award and a six-time winner of the DWAA feature writer of the year for newspapers over 150,000 circulation. He currently serves on the media staff of the famed Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show staff in New York City each February, and is on the board of numerous dog- and animal-related charities. He and his wife Mary own a Pembroke Welsh Corgi, a rescue dog.